- Quickdraw McLaw
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This has already been an interesting year with regard to animal law. Last month, we finally saw some justice for Turk, the unfortunately-deceased, helmeted guinea fowl. Just two weeks ago, police officers in Hawthorne, California, drew national attention to the issue when they shot the Rottweiler of a guy they arrested for videoing them while they were on another call. (Warning: if you seek out the video, be careful–it can be very disturbing.) In Florida, a man was arrested for posting pictures on Facebook of him and his family riding a manatee. In Canada, Walmart fired an employee who asked a customer not to leave his Newfoundland dog in the car on a hot day.
Yesterday, the RJ published a story about a protest at the RJC as a result of a Metro officer allegedly deliberately running over a woman’s 45-pound Australian shepherd mix. According to the article, in May of this year, the dog got out and was running toward some children, when the officer, deciding to serve and protect, opted to run over the dog with his cruiser. The dog lived long enough to be taken to the vet where the owner had it euthanized.
If you are, or ever have been a pet owner, it’s sometimes difficult to accept that your favorite furry family member is simply chattel. For those of you who are not too keen on animals, it can be hard to sympathize with people who seen animal death as more akin to murder than trespass to chattels. District Attorney Steve Wolfson recently indicated his office will be tough on animal crime and cruelty.
What do you think about animals and the law? Is the law fine as it is? Was this officer over the line in running down the dog? Should an officer be able to break your window if you leave a dog in a hot car? Or are your pets simply chattel for which money damages easily remedies any trespass?
Sad. I don't think laws need to change, but it never hurts to give Metro training. Remember what happened 3 years ago with Erik Scott?
Why is this article only focused on cows. When IN FACT the discussion involves dogs!
I once considered naming my dog "Chattel."
manatees=sea cows=chattel of the sea?